The Ocean Between by Lynda Coker

Victoria Ballard is a vice president in her father’s company. She has no need for men, not that she doesn’t like them, but they don’t fit into her life. She spends her free time at a local orphanage and she is in the process of adopting four children.

Victoria’s father is dying from lung cancer, but he keeps it a secret from Victoria. He wants to make sure she is protected after he is gone, so he marries her by proxy to Prince Rashad Davar. She refused to go willingly, so he kidnaps her.

Rashad is used to being obeyed and getting what he wants. He may desire and want Victoria, but he cannot control her. It’s a battle of wills, and it’s entertaining to say the least. Neither one will bend. Victoria refused to be anyone’s property and not be thought of as an equal. Rashad can’t believe she would be so rude and humiliate him before his people with her antics. Before the two can be together, they must bend, or they will break and bring each other devastating pain.

The Ocean Between is a sensual and riveting romantic read. Victoria and Rashad come from completely two different worlds and Lynda Coker does a fantastic job of depicting them moving within both with their hardships and triumphs. I cheered for the couple and I cried for them. Such emotion is truly only wrought from a wizard with words and storytelling. This is the first novel I have read from Lynda Coker, but I will look forward to reading more of her work in the future. Absolutely wonderful!